Waterside, Hertford

I have been to this restaurant several times, and I have always found it to be an enjoyable experience, until this Saturday!!

When the food we ordered at the Waterside restaurant in Hereford, the chips were burnt and the bread was stale. When we complained to the new manager about this, (and I never normally complain at restaurants), she was very unhelpful!

I will not be returning.

Being used to dining in the top London restaurants, it was a pleasure to find such a wonderful eatery so close to our new home. The staff at the Waterside restaurant in Hertford were pleasant and attendant. The atmosphere was (to start with) quiet and sedate, and the view from the 1st floor window was very relaxing; watching barges floating along the canal while young couples made use of the warm night to stroll by.

Most importantly the food was unfaultable, and believe me, I'm very fussy, especially when it comes to steak (in which the Waterside specialises). Tender, and cooked to perfection my medium rare sirloin was a real treat, and my wife's vegetarian pasta dish was also very tasty, cooked with all fresh ingredients. There was a large choice of wines, and the waitresses were discreet but attendant. In fact, the only disappointment was due to the short amount of patience shown by a group of other customers (one in particular), obviously impatient at having to wait longer than they normally do at McDonald's. They waited for around 20 minutes for their main course (not 45 as they shouted at the poor waitress), and when he demanded his meal straight away, he was aghast at being served relatively uncooked chips! Entertainment like this can't be paid for!

Creating the kind of upset, I'm sure a restaurant dreads, this event unfortunately had a knock-on effect on the service, as the staff became somewhat distracted, but still at a standard better than most restaurants in Hertford.

Slightly overpriced for the area, the food is nonetheless priced correctly for the quality, and the Waterside will definitely be a place I shall be returning to.

The Waterside restaurant in Hertford is a great spot for beers in the sun, but not great enough service for the money.

The place has great potential for excellence. A great view and charming setting. On a fine day, a wonderful riverside spot to watch the world from.

I was deeply offended by the level of service we were subjected to. 45 minute waits between visits from the waitress (not her fault, she was clearly overstretched) whilst the manager sat lounging with her friends with a beer on the patio. Despite the great setting and decent food, I was bitterly disappointed with the experience. Now, I'm OK with a bit of a wait, even a long one when a place is busy, but the bar was quiet (quiet enough for the manager to put her feet up), and I'm certainly not OK with a hiss and a groan from the manager when I comment about having to ask her for the bill twice before being allowed to leave.

As for the food.. the Osso Buco was bland (the gravy could have come from a tin); desert portions (especially the tart tatin) were stingy, especially for the price.